Before that happens, Holder says there is still plenty of work to be done.

“We’ve been at this for 12 years, in the regulatory process for four,” Holder said. “The next 12-15 months will be some of the most intense work we have to do. We have 209 conditions [as part of the federal government approval], 113 of them have to be done before construction begins. Over 60 of the 113 require more consultation.”

Holder is traveling through British Columbia and Alberta meeting with First Nations and community stakeholders.

“One thing we need to focus on is why we’re doing this; we’re doing this because Canada needs oil offshore,” she said.